Wednesday, August 26, 2009

MORNING WALK WITH MICKPaddy stayed home to guard the housewhile Mick took the first tour of the hoodwith me.Buckingham Pond Park is looking fine.Carl , and the city crew, are keeping thegrass trimmed nicely.The water level in the pond is highafter our rainy summer. Deeper watermeans that the pond can handle thelawn chemical run off from the adjacentsingle family homes, and StonehengeApartments- so there is less algae bloom.Except fot the smaller holding pondwhich is putrid.Household garbage bags are beginningto appear at the trash barrel in theparking semi-circle at the foot ofColonial.There was considerable litter from thecars that park on lower Colonial.Apartment residents or visitors?The guard rail at the foot of Euclidhill, South side of pond, really tooka bashing from some vehicle. Wonderwhat the vehicle looks like?One of the organizers of the so calledBuckingham Pond Conservancy whichemerged on the scene, earlier this yearwithout any attempt to work throughand with ,the existing Buckingham PondCrestwood Neighborhood Associationhas shown it's true colors -Note the Ellis lawn sign corner ofLenox at Cortland -The other principal organizer ofthe BPC lives in Stonehenge Apartments.Both are leftist, who are using thealleged Buckingham Pond Conservancyas a front for their political agenda inthis neighborhood.Too bad, because if improving Buckingham Pond Park were theirtrue agenda - these downtowntransplants, would be workingwith me, the Buckingham PondNeighborhood Association, and supporting Mayor Jennings.How else have the recentimprovements to the pond parkoccurred? Duh?Much more remains to be done(see earlier posts this blog) andwill be done when I am electedMember of Common CouncilWard 14.

Do not feed the ducks at the pondpark...and do not feed the this leftistpolitical group which is using the pond park as a cover to advance their politicalagenda.An Ellis lawn signs says it all.Joe Sullivan

Friday, August 21, 2009

UPDATE ON CAR THEFTSOfficer Romand and the APD are doinga fine job keeping us up to date on crime.Below is today's update on auto break-ins.Note this list includes, incidents from theprior advisory plus lates incidents inAugust.You will observe that the incidents aremoving to our hood. Most likely, becausethieves are aware of increased policepresence in areas of earlier thefts.So, the thieves move into our hood.The police can not be everywhere atevery hour of day and night.Prevention of these, and other, crimesis our responsibility. Be alert, observantfollow the theft prevention tips includedin the advisory below, and involve family members and neighbors inworking together to prevent car/homebreak ins, grand theft auto, home invasions, assaults and vandalism.Same goes for preventing terrorattack incidents.

NA Presidents and addressees, Please see the below listed updated breakdown of larcenies from Vehicles. Since our last advisory we have had several incidents reported. It appears the items of choice are Satellite stereo equipment and GPS units, but the larcenies are not exclusive to these items. I have included the reported incidents sent out with the last advisory as well as the newly reported incidents. Please take the time to read the listed prevention tips and pass them on to a neighbor and or friend who may not have seen the last advisory.

Daytime Thefts from MV in the area of Central Av- August 20, 2009.Recently there has been an increase in thefts from MV in the area of Central Av. These incidents have occurred in the daytime hours. They have generally been between the hours of 10am and 5pm, with some exception on the end time. The majority of the incidents have involved a broken window. The property taken has ranged from money to electronics.

IDIncidentLocationBegin DayBegin TimeEnd DayEnd TimeMethod of Entry109100 block BENSON ST7/19/200917:007/19/200917:09Unlocked, Stole purse209WEST ST & QUAIL ST7/20/200919:057/20/200919:09Open Window, Purse309700 block CLINTON AV7/23/200915:117/23/200921:29Broken Driver's Window, wallet409700 block CLINTON AV 7/23/200916:447/23/200922:00Broken driver’s Window, stole wallet509100 block CENTRAL AV7/27/200911:307/27/200913:30Broken Passenger Window, IPod609900 CENTRAL AV7/31/200914:007/31/200914:43Stole Rx, Nike Bag709100 block BENSON ST7/27/200916:008/1/200907:34Broken Mirror, stole registration809100 block BRADFORD ST8/2/200910:308/2/200912:20Broken Passenger Window, Stole Camera909BRADFORD ST & PARTRIDGE ST8/5/200914:008/5/200914:19Open Window, Cell Phone1009300 block CENTRAL AV8/6/200912:308/6/200917:41Broken Passenger Window, GPS1109QUAIL ST & WEST ST8/6/200916:008/6/200922:44Broken Passenger Window, Laptop and checks.1209MANNING BL & W LAWRENCE ST8/10/200911:008/10/200915:26Broken Passenger Window, GPS1309100 block BRADFORD ST8/10/200917:308/10/200917:35Broken Driver's Window, nothing stolen1409400 block MANNING BL8/11/200915:148/11/200919:00Broken Passenger Window, GPS15099oo block STATE ST8/11/200908:308/11/200910:25Broken Passenger Window, GPS1609200 block CENTRAL AV8/10/200923:308/11/200913:00Broken Passenger Window, GPS1709100 block ONTARIO ST.8/12/200912:308/12/200913:35Broken Passenger Window, GPS1809800 block WASHINGTON AV8/12/200910:008/13/200913:32Broken window, GPS.1909700 block MADISON AV8/17/200902:308/17/200909:30Unlocked, GPS, credit cards, and IPod.2009700 WASHINGTON AV8/17/200908:008/17/200911:30Broken front passenger window, stole a GPS.2109700 block MADISON AV8/17/200909:308/17/200911:45Broken front passenger window, stole a GPS.2209700 block MADISON AV8/17/200909:208/17/200913:50Broken front driver window, Radio and GPS.2309WESTERN AV/ONTARIO ST8/17/200915:158/17/200916:00Unlocked, stole GPS and money.A1-209800 block LANCASTER8/18/200914:298/18/200914:29Kicked in window, satellite radio.A3-509200 block SHERMAN ST.8/18/200914:258/18/200914:25Broken window, GPS.2409500 block BRADFORD ST8/19/200923:128/19/200923:12Broken driver side window, GPS.2509100 block BRADOFRD ST.8/19/200920:308/19/200920:45Broken driver’s side window, nothing stolen.2609100 block N. MANNING8/18/200920:268/19/200920:26Broken driver’s side window, misc.Automobile Theft Prevention Theft Prevention Tips Lock Your Car. Most thieves will try multiple car doors to look for one that is unlocked to steal out of. Don¡¦t Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car. They don¡¦t serve a purpose and if a thief gets in your car they could steal it.Park in Well-Lighted Areas. Park in Attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended lots. Close Your Car Windows When Parking. Don¡¦t make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle. Hide Your Valuables. Don¡¦t make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight. Make The Interior of Your Car Look The Same Way It Did When You Bought It. Clean out the visible change in the center console and anything else that is in plain view from the outside of the car. One dollar in change is enough for a thief to break into your car.Plug Auxiliary Power Outlets. Thieves will think that there are electronic devices in the car if they see open power outlets .Report Suspicious Activity. People looking into or trying the door handles on vehicles . Call 438 -4000.Anti -Theft Device sRemote Ca r Starter . Allows the owner to safely start a vehicle and leave the motor running to pre -heat the interior .Alarm Systems .Security systems that make loud warning sounds and flash the vehicle¡¦s lights to attract attention t o the vehicle .Ignition Kill Switch. Disables the power to the s tarter of a vehicle until a hidden switch is activated.Fuel Kill Switch. A valve that cuts off the fuel supply to the vehicle .Visible Steering Wheel Lock. Pr e -vents the steering wheel from being turned .Floor board Locks. Devices that disable the gas or b rake pedal .Gear shift Locks . Disable s shifting o f the transmission.Tire/Wheel Locks . Prevents the vehicle from moving.Hood Locks . Prevents thieves from gaining access to your security system and battery .Locking Wheel Lug Nuts .They are inexpensive and can deter a thief from stealing your wheels . You only need one per wheel . Don¡¦t leave the key visible in your car.Removable Face Stereo Unit .The control panel o f the stereo comes off to be taken with you. This makes the stereo inoperable without it.Locking Fuel Cap. The high price of fuel has made it a hot commodity.VIN-Etching. Have al l the glass in your vehicle etched with the VIN number to deter cars t ripping.Be Pr e pa r e dKeep Your Gas Tank At Leas t Hal f Full . This could prevent you from breaking down in an undesirable area.Have An Emergency Kit In Your Trunk.Don’t Abandon Your Vehicle . If you break down and have to leave your vehicle on the side of a road; Don¡¦t leave it for a long time .

Thursday, August 20, 2009

LATE BLIGHT HITS TOMATOESAND POTATOES LOCALLYWhat is late blight? Same blight that causedIrish potato famine.Read about it and how to cope with it thisseason and subsequent seasons.http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/lateblight/late.htmCrop rotation is one way. Forget abouttomatoes and potatoes in your garden forthe next few growing seasons.Joe Sullivan

Monday, August 17, 2009

WALKS WITH MICK AND PADDYWe walk early in the mornings whentemperatures are coolest.Mick and Paddy have shed some, but stillhave thick coats. They like the Fall and Winterbest.The City OGS crew has removed the splitrail fence along the Milner Ave footpathand are replacing it with a post and ropesystem similar to that around the playarea on Berkshire.The concern here is that vandals willcut/steal the ropes. Residents who usethe pond park and nearby StonehengeApartment dwellers will have to bewatchful.The OGS crew repaired and paintedthe split rail fencing at Davis and Berkshire.Carl and the summer crew have kept thegrass mowed well, including the woodedpath between Lenox-Holmes Dale, Southside.The pond water level is very high, and untilthe recent heat wave, water quality has beengood. The smaller holding pond is putrid.The grass at Greenway and along theS Manning Median has been well mowed.Also, the grass on the path between Kakelyand Euclid.The City is installing a sidewalk on lowerEuclid, South side, and a crosswalk tothe pond park entrance by the oldlarge Cottonwood.It appears from the chalk markingsthat the sidewalk will partly occupypart of the road way which is the rightlane for traffic going down the hill.This could put pedestrians at riskand create head on collision potentialsfor speeding traffic which sweepsaround the bend on Berkshire andup and down the Euclid hill.The City has taken down the twodead maples bordering the green spaceNew Scotland near S. Manning.Recently the Mayor and several otherlocal officials held a news conferenceat the Academy Post Office, oppositeSt Peter's on New Scotland Ave.I did my best to call attention to theurban blight problems related toapartments on S. Allen, Winnie StWeis Rd-Hackett-Picotte.

Neither the politicians, nor mediatook interest.

The media people said call a pressconference about the urban blightissue.

Do we really have to govern bypress conferences during electionyears? How about some preemptiveaction before urban blight and crimegain a larger foothold in our ward?

Section 8 clientele are being displacedby the Park South Urban Renewalproject, and are moving up theNew Scotland Avenue corridor tothe 7th, 9th, 8th and 14th Wards.With Section 8 comes blight andcrime.We can not allow our neighborhoodand the city property tax base tosuffer decline because of this.My opponent, the incumbentWard 14 Council Member, is Chairof the Common Council CodeEnforcement Committee, and hasdone nothing to combat the blightthat is appearing in the SE cornerof the Ward and in that part ofthe Ward in the vicinity of theEagle Point School.For that matter, his colleagesfrom the adjacent 8th and 9thWards have not dealt with thisissue either. Neither has aprimary, nor a General Electionopponent, so they are off the hook?Nothing has been done to convincethe RC Diocese to keep St Teresa'sChurch/School open.Mr Sano, 9th Ward Councilmanis having a joint fundraiser withmy 14th Ward, incumbent opponentAt the Hibernian Hall, Ontario Stin coming days?What good is money without amessage and concrete actions tomaintain and improve theresidential integrity and qualityof life in Wards 14 and 9?Who will the contributors be?Other citywide candidates? Slumlords?Unions?Joe Sullivan

Thursday, August 13, 2009

MIDTOWN BY DAYOUR HOOD BY NIGHTBE WATCHFUL. GET UP FROM THE TELLYAND LOOK AROUND YOUR AND NEIGHBORINGYARDS/STREETS.MANY INCIDENTS GO UNREPORTED. OUR GOALIS NOT A COMPILATION OF STATS, BUT TO DETERCRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS.SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS-NOT IN OUR HOOD! Joe Sullivan

Recently there has been an increase in thefts from MV in the area of Central Av. These incidents have occurred in the daytime hours. They have generally been between the hours of 10am and 5pm, with some exception on the end time. The majority of the incidents have involved a broken window. The property taken has ranged from money to electronics.

On 08/09, there was a criminal mischief reported on 439 Hamilton. Two suspects broke the window of a vehicle, but were scared away by a complainant before taking anything. The suspect description for one for them was B/M, 25yoa, 5’10” 180 lbs.

Theft Prevention Tips Lock Your Car. Most thieves will try multiple car doors to look for one that is unlocked to steal out of. Don’t Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car. They don’t serve a purpose and if a thief gets in your car they could steal it. Park in Well-Lighted Areas. Park in Attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended lots. Close Your Car Windows When Parking. Don’t make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle. Hide Your Valuables. Don’t make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight. Make The Interior of Your Car Look The Same Way It Did When You Bought It. Clean out the visible change in the center console and anything else that is in plain view from the outside of the car. One dollar in change is enough for a thief to break into your car.Plug Auxiliary Power Out l e t s . Thieve s will think that there are electronic devices in the car if they see open power out lets .Report Suspicious Activity. People looking into or trying the door handles on vehicles .Cal l 438 -400 0.Anti -Theft Device sRemote Ca r Starter . Al lows the owner to safely start a vehicle and leave the motor running to pre -heat the interior .Alarm Systems .Security systems that make loud warning sounds and flash the vehicle’s lights to attract attention t o the vehicle .Ignition Kill Switch. Disables the power to the s tarter of a vehicle until a hidden switch is activated.Fuel Kill Switch. A valve that cuts off the fuel supply to the vehicle .Visible Steering Wheel Lock. Pr e -vents the steering wheel from being turned .Floor board Locks. Devices that disable the gas or b rake pedal .Gear shift Locks . Disable s shifting o f the transmission.Ti r e /Wheel Locks . Prevents the vehicle from moving.Hood Locks . Prevents thieves from gaining access to your security system and battery .Locking Wheel Lug Nuts .They are inexpensive and c an de t e r a thief from stealing your wheels . You only need one per wheel . Don’t leave the key visible in your car.Removable Face Stereo Unit .The control pane l o f the s t e r e o comes off to be taken with you. This makes the stereo inoperable without it.Locking Fuel Ca p. The high price of fuel has made it a hot commodity.VIN-Etching. Have al l the glass in your vehicle etched with the VIN number to deter cars t ripping.Be Pr e pa r e dKeep Your Gas Tank At Le as t Hal f Full . This could prevent you from breaking down in an undesirable area.Have An Emergency Kit In Your Trunk.Don’t Abandon Your Vehicle . I f you b r e a k down and have to leave your vehicle on the side of a road; Don’t leave it for a long time .AutomobileTheft Prevention